Church must ensure participation of laity in evangelization, says Cardinal

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Apr 23, 2004 / 12:00 am (CNA).- During a visit to an evangelization center, Cardinal Eusebio Sheid of Rio de Janeiro said it is the task and responsibility of Church to ensure participation of the laity in the work of evangelization.

The Cardinal explained that “the Holy Spirit does not bestow carisms on just men or just women, nor does the Spirit reserve ministry in the Church for a single class of people;” thus, “today more than ever we need to call upon the ministry of the laity.”

“Ministry work is one of the most wide open aspects of evangelization,” the Cardinal added, during his visit to an evangelization center which offers a wide variety of pastoral services, including Bible studies, social outreach and charity work.

Meanwhile Archbishop Geraldo Lyrio Rocha of Vitoria da Conquista recalled that “one of the most significant marks of the life of the Church is the participation of the laity. This is an important patrimony, a legacy of the Second Vatican Council which the Church must carry forward.”

Archbishop Rocha added that the laity should also participate in “the responsibilities and in the processes of decision-making and management, as members of the People of God.”